Indians manager promises to be unpredictable in the outfield

Sunday

The makeup of the revamped Indians outfield appears pretty clear-cut, but Manager Eric Wedge said he won’t be completely predictable when filling out his lineup card.

Two-time All-Star center fielder Grady Sizemore isn’t going anywhere, of course. In left field, Jason Michaels will start primarily against left-handers and Kenny Lofton against right-handers. In right field, Trot Nixon will start against most right-handers, Franklin Gutierrez against most left-handers.

Remember, we said “most.”

“We’re not going to predetermine anything,” Wedge said Saturday. “We have a number of people in the outfield doing the job for us.”

Michaels and Gutierrez both started Saturday against Minnesota left-hander Johan Santana. Still, Wedge cautions, he won’t be afraid to deviate from the formula.

“We’re going to look at who needs a day off, look at the matchups, look at everything,” Wedge said.

Nixon may bear a little bit more of a look than at this time a month ago. He has struggled all year while attempting to overcome the effects of offseason back surgery, but is batting .309 (13-for-42) with three doubles and a home run over his last 14 games.

“He’s moving around better, his bat speed has improved and the leadership and experience he brings us are off the charts,” Wedge said. “He is farther away from the surgery and, the more he gets his legs underneath him, the better off he’s going to be.”

COMING UP The series concludes this afternoon at 1:05. C.C. Sabathia (13-5, 3.70) will start against Matt Garza (1-2, 1.33).

THE FULTZ WATCH LHP Aaron Fultz (rib cage) will start for Double-A Akron today against Altoona and throw one inning. Manager Eric Wedge said that, if all goes well, Fultz will make one more minor-league appearance before being activated from the disabled list.

MY RIGHT FOOT Kenny Lofton is still hobbled a bit by a bruised right big toe, suffered when he fouled a ball off his foot July 20. “The ball left a mark that’s still on my spikes,” Lofton said. “I’ve fouled balls off my foot before, but nothing like that. My whole foot went numb. It’s getting better, but I still feel it.”

MORE ON KENNY Fox TV broadcasters said Angels outfielder Reggie Willits wears jersey No. 77 in honor of Lofton ... Lofton is a career .309 hitter at Jacobs Field. ... Wedge said he appreciated the enthusiasm that accompanied Lofton’s return to Cleveland on Friday. “It was great to see this place that loud,” Wedge said.

GOOD ITEM Indians radio voice Tom Hamilton took no small amount of grief Saturday over the talking bobblehead bearing his name that was given to fans entering the ballpark. Someone had written “Win One for Hammy!” on a message board in the Indians clubhouse.

CELEBRITY GUESTS Members of the Bluffton University baseball team attended Saturday’s game. Five members of the team were killed March 3 when the team bus plunged off an Atlanta interstate highway ramp. The players received a standing ovation when introduced before the game.

ON THE FARM Single-A Lake County left fielder Cirilo Cumberbach hit three home runs Friday during an 11-3 victory over the Hickory Crawdads. Cumberbach became the first Indians minor-league to hit three home runs in a game since ... Thursday, when Single-A Kinston catcher Armando Camacaro drove in six runs with three homers.